World Cup 2022: Group B Analysis

England

England enjoyed an undefeated qualifying campaign for the World Cup, which extended their run of matches without defeat in World Cup qualifying to 31 consecutive games. Boasting world-class players like Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish, Declan Rice, and TrentAlexander-Arnold, England will be one of the contenders to win the title even though it won its last and only title way back in 1966. They are priced at +800 to go all the way and lift the trophy according to the latest soccer odds.

Arguably, England has the second-deepest pool of talent after reigning champions France and you get the feeling Gareth Southgate’s job would literally be on the line here. The group draw has been kind to the Lions, who are strongly fancied to take seven, if not all nine, points from the three group stage games.

Southgate’s England sides have gone deeper in tournaments than many before them, but as with most England teams, they tend to hit a wall against the first quality side they play. We don’t expect them to win it all, but they should easily win this group.

USA

Team USA will be making its 11th appearance in the World Cup. Gregg Berhalter will become the first person to represent the U.S. team at the FIFA World Cup as both a player and manager. As hosts of the 2026 World Cup, this tournament is very important for the USMNT. It comes off the back of their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and the subsequent decision made to put faith in the squad’s young players.

Gregg Berhalter’s squad will be the youngest side at the World Cup, with only DeAndre Yedlin having prior World Cup experience. The team is fully packed with players in top leagues who, in a few years’ time, could be world-class. For now, they have zero experience at this level and this could translate on the pitch.

Team USA has failed to find the net in only one of their last ten World Cup matches. The only team who managed to keep a clean sheet against the Americans was Germany, which claimed a 1-0 victory when the two nations met in the group stage in Brazil in 2014. We expect goals from the USA and if you’re soccer betting online, goals should be your betting angle in the group stage.

Wales

Wales has not played in the World Cup finals since 1958. They boast some impressive names like Gareth Bale, Daniel James and Aaron Ramsay on their squad. Bale, who is now playing for LAFC in MLS, has shown contrasting form for his national team.

Wales are often happy to let the opponent dominate proceedings but are dangerous on the break. Despite his age, Bale remains one of the quickest players alongside James and Brennan Johnson. Rob Page is expected to stick with a three-man defense, which would allow Neco Williams to help his attacking teammates.

The opening game against the USMNT is huge for both teams and it can set the tone for their campaign to survive to the knockout rounds, a winner-takes-all match. Wales are priced at even money to qualify in the knockout stages.

Iran

Everyone tends to rule out Iran as they clearly are the real underdogs in this group. Carlos Quieroz’s return should concern Group B opponents. He is a defensive-minded coach whose teams are often difficult to break down. Formerly at Egypt, he led the Pharaohs to the AFCON finals earlier this year before a penalty shootout saw him lose the title to Senegal. Egypt only conceded two goals in the whole tournament.

Queiroz is well-suited to structuring a highly organized, defense-focused side and probably will surprise everyone. The squad possesses plenty of experience, having played in 2018 when they were eliminated in the group stage. Iran has a handful of exciting attacking players led by Porto star Mehdi Taremi, who is enjoying a great season with his club. We won’t include them in our soccer picks and parlays, but we expect them to pull off some upsets.

The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.